Lady Hawks looking for success in 2015

By Chuck Tidmore

Sports Information Assistant

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Huntingdon women's soccer team opens the regular season on Thursday and first-year head coach Emily Barber is pleased with how her team preformed during the preseason.

"The girls worked really hard this preseason," Barber said. "We overcame a lot of injuries but the end result is positive."

The Lady Hawks finished the 2014 season 2-17 but Barber has set forth goals for the season and for her team.

"My goals for the team this season are to have the girls create a bond and build the trust within the team," Barber said. "Regarding the results, we want to win more games and make the USA South Athletic Conference tournament."

Having spent the past two seasons as an assistant for Huntingdon, and ending the 2014 season as the interim head coach, Barber is ready to take the next step as the Lady Hawks' head coach.

"As the assistant, your job is to support the head coach and what they think is proper and what's best for the team, and as the head coach, you lead the team with what you think is best and try to create a family environment," Barber said. "I want everyone to have a positive experience and when they walk away I want them to be glad they were a part of our program."

Returning for the Lady Hawks are 11 players from last season, including three of the top four goal scorers. One area that Barber has been impressed with is their fitness level.

"I'm very pleased with our returning players' fitness levels," Barber said. "You can tell they did a lot of work during the summer and preseason."

Barber mentioned freshman Jenna Maschino, junior Clara Tapplin and freshman goalkeeper Leah Leach as players to watch for the upcoming season.

"Leah has improved tremendously since her first session here," Barber said. "Maschino is someone to look out for. She's a quiet kid but she makes noise on the field. And Clara is a force to be reckoned with. She's a hard worker."

Huntingdon opens the season on Thursday at Judson College at 7 p.m.

"We're excited to play Thursday," Barber said. "We're ready to get on the road together, get in a real game atmosphere and get this party started."